I love babywearing! I have a big list of DIY Babywearing Coat tutorials and patterns. It’s definitely one of my tips for sewing when you have a young kid at home (here are the rest of the tips!), and aside from my creativity it helps me keep my daily sanity. With my first/son, we could just stay inside when it got too cold but with my second/daughter I’m not going to have that option. There are several ways to keep warm, but most of the ready-made options you can buy are extremely expensive. I rounded up 10 different ways to stay warm on the cheap, while babywearing. If you’re the crunchy sewing type (which I say with affection!), you might also want to check out my round-up of nursing friendly sewing patterns/tutorials!
PDF Sewing Patterns for Babywearing Hoodies
- Epic Babywearing Hoodie* from A Sparkly Baby
- Zippity Hoodie with Bunny Hug Baby Panel from Duck Butt Designs
- Tragejacke Arja + Muksu Größe (not in english!)
- Nestledown Vest* from Twig + Tale
- Kizzy’s Carrier Cozy Pattern from CKC Patterns
- (not pictured) Cozy Cover Pattern from Sew Toot Patterns
- (not pictured) Lady Pumpkin Pie Poncho + Babywearing Option from Candy Castle Patterns
Free Tutorials for Babywearing Coats
1. Yellow Suitcase Studio had a good idea for more moderate temperatures, with a snug blanket that fits over a SSC (soft structured carrer)
2. Minikin Pin added a custom insert but also some clever cords to keep it cinched and warm from the wind
3. This tutorial from Ocah Custom Carriers uses two fleece jackets to create a handy insert; only works with front carries.
4. It’s A Powers Full Life shows us how to create a cutout in the back of a conventional coat, perfect for back carries.
5. A no sew suggestion from Onya Baby – super clever! It can be easy to fall prey to Facebook/Pinterest and decide you simply MUST buy X Y or Z but this is a great fix for that!
6. Another no sew option from Fine and Fair, this is a shaped poncho that looks super cozy
7. A Hippie With A Minivan adds a fabric panel to a coat, instead of mashing two coats together
8. Kitchen Clutter creates a lined slit so an older kiddo’s head can just pop out – and it doesn’t look too strange sans kid either!
[not pictured]
9. Barefoot Buttercup split a seam and created a mega hood for a neat alternative
10. Bird and Goose used some fleece and a zipper to create an insert, quick and easy.
This isn’t a coat, but if you do a lot of babywearing, check out my tutorial for a hip pouch too!
